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EDITOU'S TABLE. 



£OIlor'^ Jf)blc. 



Mr. IIovey on Root-Grafting. — In the course of some observations on Root -Grafting, 

 in the May number of this journal, wo asked Mr. Hovey to explain the superiority of 

 budded, or stock-grafted over root-grafted trees ; in reply to which he says : 



"Our theory therefore i?, that a great many Yarieties of apples, as well as other fruits, are so 

 different in habit from the original species, that they do not grow freely ou their own roots, and 

 that root-grafting, from not imparting a rapid growth to the young scion, induces a weakness in 

 the young tree, from which it will not quickly recover ; just as a tree, grown on poor and stinted 

 soil, makes its fii-st sap-vessels so small and contracted, that no after treatment will enable it to 

 acquire a vigorous condition." 



Now it will be recollected that we stated expressly, that root-grafting was not applicable 

 to slender growing sorts, and we quoted examples ; but Mr. H. quotes the Eliode Island 

 Greening and EoxJniry Russet as slow growing trees, that do not succeed root-grafted. 

 This is not true in Western New York, whatever it may be in Boston. Both of these are 

 strong growing trees, though inclined to be crooked, and they bear root-grafting as well as 

 any others, not excepting the Baldwin. 



In another place, Mr. Hovey says that the orchards of "Western New York, which he 

 spoke of as being so fine, Avere " set out years before root-grafting was ever practiced." 

 This is an error. We defy any man to find an extensive orchard of Apple trees, old or 

 young, in Western New York, that are not root-grafted. This can be proven, not only by 

 the oldest living authorities, but by the trees themselves. 



It is quite a waste of time to make assertions in the face of downright and well known 

 facts. But Mr. Hovey and we are not agreed as to what root-grafting is ; we supposed 

 there could be no difference of opinion on this simple point. If grafting on roots is not 

 root-grafting, we do not know what is. Mr. Hovey says : 



"Root-grafting, by taking the whole of the root, is nothing more than s/ocA--grafting at the 

 surface of the ground, and Mr. B. don't certainly intend to call it by any other name. What is 

 meant and what is practiced by everybody, is to take a root of a seedling and cut it into pieces, 

 four or six inches long, which are then wliip-grafted ; or pieces of roots of old trees are just as 

 good. It is done to save time and expense. To take up a whole root, and tiien graft it, and set 

 it out again, would be the most expensive way of getting a tree, for nothing would be gained 

 and much lost, as there would be the cost of resetting, and the loss of time in reestablishing 

 the plant." 



It utterly surprises ns that a man of Mr. Hovey's experience should write in such a 

 manner. Root-grafting, by taking the whole root, is s^oci-grafting, indeed ; and then to say 

 that "Mr. B. don't intend to call it by any other name !" A pretty good joke for Mr. 

 Hovey. But this is not more laughable than his notions of economy. 



Suppose, for instance, that a nurseryman has in the seed-bed 1000 Apple seedlings fit for 

 rorking. If he root-grafts them, he takes them up in the fall, puts them in the cellar, and 



